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Show A National Recreation Trail In The Tushars Although not presently known to many, the Skyline Trail, running between Big Flat to Big John Flat, is a National Recreation Trail. It was placed on the National Recreation Trail System in 1979. It is about eight and a quarter miles long, It takes about a day to hike including the drive to and from Beaver. The Skyline Trail is No. 225. Other outstanding trails to try are SouthcreekLabaron Trail, No. 068 and Blue Lake, No. 123. The entire length of the trail is closed to motorized vehicles. Horseback and mountain lop Of The Tushars Those with high clearance vehicles, who are willing to drive mountain roads, will enjoy the spectacular mountian scenery at the top of the Tushar Mountains. These mountains are the highest in the Fishlake National Forest and the third highest in Utah. Several peaks, such as Mt. Baldy and Mt. Belknap, rise above 12,000 feet while a half a dozen more rise above 11,000 feet All are above timberline and command sweeping vistas of southern and central Utah. Nestled at the base of the northern and eastern flanks of the mountain are remnants of the ghosttowns of 1 .V'$&rjt ' Kimberly Big John Road The route began at the City of Junction on US-8Turning on to it continues past Puffer Lake and Elk Meadows. On a Fishlake National Forest road, the Backway turns north to Big John Flat and climbs over theTushar Mountains. The route continues through the historic Kimberly mining district to the Freeway interchange near Fremont Indian State The road is about 40 Park at miles long, with a travel time of three hours. One point in the Backway also provides access to the Kent's Lake Loop, the spur route leaves the junction of ST-15-3, traveling southwest about 11 3 in Beaver miles to Canyon. This loop provides access to LeBaron Rservoir, Anderson Meadow Reservoir, Kent's Lake and Little Reservoir: 9. SR-15- 3, re-jo- in SR-15- Around the turn of the cerurv, these gold mine towns rang with the activitiy of several thousand miners. Now all is quiet except the rush of the wind through the cool forest If you are curious about these remnants of our cultural heritage, visit but remember to leave them undisturbed so others can learn from them also. Road Conditions: The KimberlyBig John Road is generally suitable for travel in a passenger car. But because there are narrow, rough areas and some extreme grades, high clearance vehicles are recommended. The road surface has been upgraded and is not as slick as before when wet Plans for this winter and spring is to keep the roads open. Travel trailers are not recommended in the Winter. Scenery and Attractions: This Backway climbs through the Tushar Mountain Range. A series of high mountin meadows punctuate the route. In late summer, wild flowers are found growing between fields of lava rock and on the tundra. This route has elevations ranging from 6,000 to 11,000 feet and spectacular views of mountain peaks as high as 12,139 feet 'ikik . Ld? bicycles are allowed. Most of thetrail is easy hiking although there is a mile in three separate sections that are moderate to difficult The trail crosses terrain ranging in elevation from 10,100 feet to 11,100 feet above sea level. Mountain peaks seen from the trail have elevations of 11, 165 feet (City Creek Peak) to 12,173 feet (Delano Peak.) The Circleville Valley Piute Reservoir area, the lowlands to the east of the trail, lie at 6,000 feet elevation. The trail offers fantastic mountain scenery, wildflower and wildlife viewing. During the month of July, meadows seen to glisten with purple waves of larkspur and lupine. Approach the meadows LIVE Msf quietly and you might see deer or elk. On Mount Holly and Lake Peak, watch for mountain goats on the high mountain crags. Seventeen goats were transplanted from Olympic National Park in 1986 to start a small herd on the Forest. Above you, eagles and hawks soar and nest in cliffs on the mountain peaks. The golden eagle is a permanent resident and has a wing span of six to eight feet To get to the trailheads take State Highway 153 east from Beaver. The Big Flat Trailhead lies 22 miles east of Beaver. The trail is identified by a road sign about a quarter mile south of the Big Flat guard station. The actual trailhead lies 200 yards east of SR-15- 3. The Big John Trailhead is reched by sixteen miles east of taking SR-15- 3 Beaver. At this point, turn north on Forest Road 123 for another four miles to Big John Flat. The trailhead is on the north end of the flat and is marked by a sign. For additional informa- tion about maps, trail condition, road access and weather conditions contact: Beaver Ranger District, P.O. Box E, 190 North, 100 East, Beaver, Utah 84713. To protect our environment , we ask that you " Take only pictures and leaveonly footprints". T&1 Sighting animals, particularly largcmule deer, is common along this Backway. Fall colors make this drive an Autumn favorite. The Tushar Mountains on the Beaver Ranger District of the Fishlake National Forest offers a unique experience. Evidence still remains of the Tushar Caldera that exploded thousands of years ago throwing rocks and boulders hundreds of miles. Many of the boulders on the Boulder Mountain as well as the boulders and rocks on the Beaver Ranger District are remains of this tremendous eruption. In exploring the District one can find igneous, sedimentary, adn metamorphic rocks. The volcanic history of the Tushar's is responsible for the highly mineralized rocks which can be found on the District, Minerals wh ich occur are gold, silver, pyrite and uranium. Minerals are often found in crystalline quartz structures. v.-- 4 j.' MOUNTAIN GOATS WERE TRANSPLANTED TN THE TUSHAR MOUNTAINS. "v. |